Improvement in processes of preparing and producing colored photographs on glass



BENJAMIN T. IRISH, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES OF PREPARING AND PRODUCING COLORED PHOTOGRAPHSON GLASS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.

179,3 l6, dated June 27, 1876; application filed May 15, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN T. IRISH, of New Bedford, county ofBristol, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and ImprovedMethods of Making Colored Photographs on Glass, of which the followingis a specification My invention relates to the production of coloredpictures by mounting a photograph on glass, removing the paper, so as torender the print transparent, and then coloring the picture on the back.This method has been practiced for many years with more or less success;but as heretofore practiced it has been difficult and uncertain, and theresults obtained have not been considered artistic.

My invention consists in certain improve ments on the method referredto, which result in the obtaining of efiects superior to those obtainedby any. other system known to me.

I shall first describe my process or method in detail, and will thenpoint out those features and then peeling the card away from the pho-.tographic paper. The unmounted photographis now attached by its face toa glass by means of a paste made of ten parts water, four parts starch,and one part nitrate of strontium, stirred, dissolved, and boiled untilthe mixture has cooked well.

Other pastes or materials, however, may be used to attach the photographto the glass, if desired. The paste above described is one good materialfor the purpose.

After the photograph is aflixed to the glass, as stated, it is leftuntil all moisture has dried out of it, and the paper is then madetransparent as follows: The paper is ground down until it looks quitedark and very thin, or, possibly, until the surface film next to theglass begins to be very slightly scratched. The grinding is effected byemery-cloth or fine sandpaper, or the like, with which the back of thephotograph is rubbed briskly until the paper is nearly ground 011' fromthe glass. When it is thus ground sufficiently and evenly-i-t is placedin a bath of melted parafiine, for which other substances, such asbees-wax or spermaceti, may be substituted. ,It is there left for a fewmoments, and is then removed, and all surplus wax is rubbed with a clothfrom the back of the picture. It cools immediately, andr'is then clearand transparent, and ready for coloring or painting.

This method of rendering photographic paper transparent, and preparingit for coloring or painting, is a decided improvement over any systemheretofore devised. The improvement is due to the conjoined operationsof grinding and treating the paper with paraflinewax or its equivalent.

I am aware, as above said, that it is not new with me to remove thegreater portion of the body of the mounted paper; but I am not awarethat this has ever been before effected by grindingdown the dry paper.Nor am I aware that the grinding operation, or, indeed, any method ofremoving the paper, has ever ment. I exclude from the category of waxthe balsams, oils, and varnishes which have been used for the purpose ofgiving the picture not attained by any other method of which I haveknowledge.

In addition to the beauty of the effect, further advantages are derived,in that there is freedom from liability to spot, or to become injured bydust, moisture, handling, 85c, and durability of the transparency andpicture is obtained. After the photographic print has been renderedtransparent, as described, it is then painted with oil-colors; or suchparts as may be desired are touched up direct upon the back of thepicture itself. Then another glass isplaced at the back of the picture,and oilcolors are put upon the back of this second glass, and thevarious tints are placed opposite such' parts of the picture as may bedebeen used in conjunction with the wax treatthe picture with asoftness, and yet brilliancy,

The process of preparing and producing 001- 1 ored photographs on glass,by first mounting the photograph on glass, facedownward, then grindingit thin from the back, and then treatin g it with parafline or itsequivalent, as specified, for the after reception of oil-colors, ap-

plied directly totheback of the picture, or to a second glass, to beapplied as a backing, substantially as herein described.

In testi'lnonywhereoflhave hereunto signed my name this 13th day of May,A. D. 1876. BENJAMIN '1. IRISH. Witnesses: v

LEML. T. WILIICOX, GEO. A. COVELL, Jr.

